70: The governor's joke-telling skills

The Governor of Longcheng spoke with Director Wang, expressing his desire to meet Miss Lei.

Director Wang said he would have to ask Miss Lei for instructions.

The Governor of Longcheng said, "Of course, everything depends on Miss Lei's wishes. If it's inconvenient for her, or if she doesn't wish to see me, I completely understand and will have no complaints whatsoever!"

"Please be sure to convey my sincerity. Regarding the promotion of the animal protection law, I will certainly do my utmost and will not be negligent!"

Director Wang understood clearly, knowing that the Governor was determined to seize this opportunity.

He nodded. "Alright, leader, I'll ask Miss Lei right away."

He stepped aside and dialed Lei Jun's number.

Outside the library, Lei Jun was somewhat surprised to hear Director Wang's relay of the message.

The Governor of Longcheng wanted to see her?

She thought about it; she could meet him, as it was for the sake of promoting the animal protection law anyway.

With the top leader of Longcheng personally involved, things should go much more smoothly.

She said calmly.

"Sure, I have time this evening."

Director Wang covered the mouthpiece and whispered to the Governor, "Leader, Miss Lei agreed. She said she's free tonight!"

The Governor of Longcheng was overjoyed to hear this.

He hurriedly took the phone from Director Wang's hand, holding it with both hands, and said respectfully.

"Hello, Miss Lei!"

"Thank you very much for gracing us with your presence!"

"I've arranged a banquet for you at 'Tingyu Pavilion' at seven o'clock tonight. Would that be suitable?"

"The environment there is quite peaceful."

He mentioned the name of a top-tier private club in Longcheng.

After receiving an affirmative answer from Lei Jun, the Governor spoke a few more words of thanks before cautiously hanging up. He looked as if he had grown ten years younger, radiant with joy... Meanwhile, Lei Jun finished the call outside the library and went back in to continue reading.

Reading was more important right now.

She wanted to finish "one hundred years of solitude" this afternoon.

Picking up the heavy novel again, she took a deep breath and once more plunged into the struggle within the bizarre world penned by Marquez.

Time slipped away quietly between the lines.

Lei Jun hadn't spent all those years reading web novels for nothing.

Shortly after five in the afternoon, Lei Jun finally finished the 260,000-word novel.

She let out a long sigh of relief, feeling her brain grow tired and her neck and shoulders stiff from staying in the same position for so long.

She stretched her body, feeling a sense of ease and satisfaction.

Then, she opened the system interface.

[Ding!]

[Mission: Go to the library and finish reading a book has been completed. Reward: 1,000 godly tycoon coins.]

1,000 godly tycoon coins acquired!

Lei Jun watched her balance rise with delight.

Although the reading process was a bit of an ordeal, the gains were tangible.

She called Lei Ying and Lei Yue and set off for home.

Back at Boyue Mansion, Lei Jun first opened a favorite can of food for the starving Pet Name. Watching the little creature gobble it up, she played with it using a cat teaser for a while, making up for the guilt of scaring it that morning.

Afterward, she began preparing for the evening banquet.

She chose an elegant dress that was neither disrespectful nor overly formal and applied a refined yet natural makeup look.

Finally, she opened the exquisite jewelry box and took out the "moon goddesss teardrop" necklace, valued at thirty-six million.

Once ready, Lei Jun took Lei Ying and Lei Yue to the agreed-upon meeting at Tingyu Pavilion.

Tingyu Pavilion was nestled within a quiet garden in Longcheng, with an extremely elegant environment.

With small bridges over flowing water and swaying bamboo shadows, the private rooms were all independent pavilions over the water, offering excellent privacy.

Led by a waiter dressed in a qipao, the three of them arrived at the reserved private room.

As soon as the door opened, Director Wang and the Governor of Longcheng, who had been waiting inside, immediately came forward to greet them warmly.

Director Wang had seen Lei Jun several times; apart from his increasingly respectful attitude, he managed to maintain outward composure.

But it was the Governor of Longcheng's first time seeing Lei Jun in person, and in that instant, he was frozen in place.

Heavens... in this world... there could actually be someone so beautiful!

He felt his breath hitch for a moment.

The woman before him had silver hair like snow and skin like jade. Her features were as delicate as God's most perfect masterpiece, especially those cool eyes that seemed to contain a vast sea of stars.

The brilliant blue gems around her neck made her look like an elf not of this mortal world.

Truly a daughter of a top-tier family, such looks and temperament.

Simply breathtaking!

He quickly composed himself, lowering his posture to the minimum. Bowing deeply, he most respectfully invited Lei Jun to take the seat of honor: "Miss Lei, please, take a seat!"

"Your presence truly brings honor to this humble place!"

After Lei Jun sat down gracefully, he immediately and diligently presented the menu with both hands, his face full of smiles. He introduced the specialty dishes and signature items in detail—which were recommended by the chef and which were must-try delicacies—his tone enthusiastic yet measured.

Lei Jun readily accepted his recommendations and quickly finished ordering.

In the interval while waiting for the food, the Governor began to rack his brains for jokes he thought were humorous to liven up the atmosphere.

Director Wang was extremely supportive on the side, laughing until he doubled over, his eyes nearly tearing up, as if he had heard the funniest thing in the world.

However, Lei Jun, Lei Ying, and Lei Yue remained expressionless, their hearts completely unmoved.

Lei Jun felt a bit helpless.

The Governor's skill at telling jokes... was truly nothing to boast about.

She didn't get the punchline at all; she only felt awkward.

It seemed the Governor was not usually adept at this.

As for Director Wang's exaggerated reaction, she knew full well it was nothing more than the art of flattery in officialdom.

To be able to reach the position of Director, they were indeed all shrewd individuals; such acting skills were peerless.

Director Wang's face was nearly contorted from laughing.

On the surface, he laughed very happily, as if it were truly from the heart.

But in his heart, he was already cursing up a storm.

What kind of bullshit joke was that? How could a human even come up with such a joke?

No wonder Miss Lei didn't laugh; it was already good enough that she didn't fall asleep while listening.

It was obvious the Governor didn't tell jokes often; he probably spent most of his time listening to others tell them. His joke-telling ability was simply too poor.

Compared to him, there was simply no comparison.

If he were the one telling jokes—without boasting too much...

Within ten minutes, he could definitely make Miss Lei laugh.

As for why he didn't show off...

This involved the unwritten rules of officialdom again.

That is, one must not steal the superior's thunder.

The Governor's purpose today was clearly to show off in front of Miss Lei Jun and leave a deep impression.

So this was the Governor's stage; he couldn't snatch away the Governor's chance to perform or steal his thunder.

That was a major taboo in officialdom.

Whether the Governor's performance was good or bad had nothing to do with him, as long as he kept laughing.

After the Governor told several jokes, Miss Lei and the other two didn't laugh even once.

This made him extremely nervous, and he hurriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead.